NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#247
This morning the sun, which had been shining brightly, began to be covered by black clouds that slowly moved from the north and enveloped the sky in the eastern horizon. A drizzle began to come down. Layla who was about to go on a pilgrimage to the tombs of Nyai Mustiani and Sulastri, together with Pak Nurasmin and Bu Sofia had to undo his intentions. The drizzle that has been falling for a while slowly changes the rain that falls rapidly. Although they will use the car, but Mr. Nurasmin's vision is problematic, especially with a visibility of less than one meter when heavy rain like that, making them agree to wait until the rain subsides.
While waiting for the rain to subside, Layla chose to go into her room and busied herself to recite the memorization of her Qur'an. While Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia chose to sit in the living room.
"Mom, didn't you hear the sound of a car horn out there" said Mr. Nurasmin rather loudly because of the noise of the rain. Bu Sofia turned her head towards the living room window. He saw a black sedan parked right in front of the gate. Sofia got up and stood at the door.
"Sir, it looks like there's a car outside. Check it out first, sir. Maybe the owner wants to take shelter" said Sofia without looking. Mr. Nurasmin got up immediately. Then he stepped closer. The front door of the car is seen in the open. A tall man came out with an umbrella and stepped into the next door of the car. Not long after, he was seen caressing a middle-aged man with a beard. Both of them stood in front of the gate. The middle-aged man raised both of his hands.
"Mom, get me an umbrella. Looks like the guy's going in" said Mr. Nurasmin. Sofia immediately rushed to get her an umbrella. After that, Mr. Nurasmin immediately came out and ran around to the gate.
"Who are you looking for, sir," asked Nurasmin, looking closely at the face of the middle-aged man in front of him. The man's face seemed familiar to her.
"I want to see Father. Mr. Nurasmin, right?" said the man. Mr. Nurasmin nodded and immediately opened the gate. He then let them both in.
"Mom, make coffee for our guests" said Mr. Nurasmin upon arrival in the living room. After cleaning the sofa and table, he let his two guests sit down. Pak Nurasmin focused on looking at the face of a baby boy who was still busy cleaning his face with his handkerchief. He knew the man, but he still doubted.
"Sorry, if we confuse you." The man put his handkerchief in his suit pocket. He smiled at Nurasmin.
"I am the head of MUI West Nusa Tenggara Province, Haji Nur Asikin," continued the man while thrusting his hand to invite Mr. Nurasmin to shake hands. Mr. Nurasmin sighed. He smiles. The curiosity is gone. He just remembered. He often saw the man on Lombok TV. He often appears in Ramadan studies before breaking his fast.
"Astaghfirullahal Adzim, forgive me, Master Teacher. I'm sorry that Master Teacher has seen you pay attention to Master Teacher. I feel familiar but somewhat doubtful. You did not expect that Master Teacher would stop by my house," said Mr. Nurasmin blushed in embarrassment.
"It's okay, sir. Even I have to apologize for coming suddenly like this," said Master Nur Asikin.
"By the way, if you may know, where has Master gone?" ask Mr. Nurasmin. Master Teacher Nur Asikin smiled. He improved his sitting position.
"I'm not going anywhere, sir. My goal is to visit the house of the Father," said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin. Mr. Nurasmin scrunched his forehead. Then he smiled in shame.
"If you may know, what's wrong, sir. I was so scared" said Mr. Nurasmin. Master Teacher Nur Asikin smiled.
"It's normal, sir. There's nothing, sir. It's just a matter of course," replied Tuan Guru Nur Asikin.
For a moment their conversation stopped when Sofia's mom showed up with a drink.
"This is my wife, Mr. Guru," said Mr. Nurasmin introducing Ms. Sofia. Sofia smiled and nodded her head.
"Mom, sit down first. I may know Master Teacher" said Mr. Nurasmin, holding Sofia's hand and telling her to sit down. Bu Sofia began to pay attention to Master Teacher Nur Asikin. He scratched the top of his ear with a smile.
"Who is it, sir," said Sofia as she turned to Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin just smiled.
"Let's guess, Mom. In two months, Mr. Guru will definitely appear on Lombok TV" said Mr. Nurasmin.
"Subhanallah, Mr. Guru Nur Asikin," Sofia said. He spontaneously stood up and held the hand of Master Teacher Nur Asikin and kissed him.
"I'm sorry, sir. I really didn't think Master would visit us. Yes, Allah. What a dream we had last night, sir," said Sofia's mom. He still does not believe that the figure he often listened to his lectures during Ramadan is now in front of him.
"We usually break our fast in front of the television, listening to Master Teacher's lectures. But baby, it's too short, Master Teacher. Plus the duration," said Sofia ma'am. Master Teacher Nur Asikin smiled.
"That's been restricted by the television, ma'am. It's not good if the talk is too long. Jamaat quickly bored," said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin.
The rain has not yet stopped. It even looks bigger. Mr. Nurasmin invited his guests to drink coffee in front of him.
"I'll just go right ahead, sir, Mom." Tuan Guru Nur Asikin reopened the conversation after a moment of silence enjoying drinks and small meals served by Sofia. Sofia and Nurasmin looked at each other. It seems like there is something else that Master Teacher Nur Asikin wants to convey.
"I am here, in addition to the friendship, there is a special purpose that is actually embarrassed for me to express, but very bad if I do not reveal," said Mr. Guru Nur Asikin. He improved his sitting position. He further advances his body.
"As parents, we all have a duty to our children. When it is our duty to support and educate them according to our ability, our last duty is to find them a good soul mate." Master Teacher Nur Asikin stopped his words. He noticed the expressions of Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia. It seemed, both of them had already understood the meaning of the conversation.
"I'm sorry if what I'm saying is too hasty. I realize, son Layla may have made her choice to someone. I was just trying to run an effort for my son" said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin. Mr. Nurasmin let out a long sigh while bowing his face. For the second time he had the arrival of an important person with the same topic of discussion. Complicated problem that he was difficult to answer. Nurasmin turned to Sofia. Bu Sofia moved one of her eyes like telling Mr. Nurasmin to answer.
Mr. Nurasmin again sighed. His hands held each other tightly.
"Before we have apologized profusely, Master Teacher. We as parents are very happy because Master deigns to make my son a ghost." Mr. Nurasmin stopped his words. He was silent for a moment.
"Mom, call your son for a minute. Let's not tell you twice. Let him hear directly what Master Teacher will say," said Mr. Nurasmin as he touched Sofia's hand. Sofia smiled. He then got up and stepped into Layla's room. Not long after, Sofia's back with Layla.
"Son, this is Mr. Guru Nur Asikin, head of MUI NTB," said Mr. Nurasmin when Layla was sitting on the sofa. Layla coats both hands with the tip of her hijab and shakes hands with Master Teacher Nur Asikin.
"Father would like to congratulate Nak Layla on her successful exit as general champion in Brunei Darussalam. I'm also sorry for not being able to pick up Nak Layla's return." Layla smiled lowered her head.
"Nak Layla has made West Nusa Tenggara province famous internationally. We are very proud of Nak Layla's achievements" continued Mr. Guru Nur Asikin.
"Thank you very much, Master," Layla said.
Master Teacher Nur Asikin nodded. He went back to sipping his cold coffee. He looked at Layla for a while. He smiled back.
"Look, Son Layla. I mean to come here, in addition to the brother Ibrahim, also want to introduce my son to Nak Layla. His name is Lalu Qinan Kusuma. She recently completed her S2 at Mataram university. The plan, this year he intends to continue his S3 education, but Mr. forbid it first. He told her to rest first. You feel it's time he got married" said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin. Layla smiled nodding her head. He began to understand the direction of Master Teacher Nur Asikin's conversation. He let out a long sigh, but as much as possible was invisible.
"In the view of the lay Father, it is prejudiced that Nak Layla is a devout girl. Indeed that is the prejudice for the memorizers of the Qur'an. And as a parent, you want your family to get the blessings of the Qur'an with the help of Nak Layla to accept," said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin. He sighed long. The handkerchief inside his suit pocket was taken out again and rubbed a little sweat on his forehead.
"But as Mr. Nak Layla said. All decisions are in the hands of Nak Layla," continued Mr. Guru Nur Asikin.
Layla gave a long sigh. He raised his face slowly. He turned towards Nurasmin and Sofia. Both of them smiled with their heads.
Layla turned her face towards Master Teacher Nur Asikin.
"Before I apologize profusely, Master Teacher." Layla nodded back. He felt his body really stifling. He was silent for a moment. He could only lower his face.
"Once again, I'm sorry. I can't answer it yet. I asked for time to think and pray istiharah. Once again apologize if I let Master down, Master" Layla continued. He sighed long. Although still feeling bad, but he seemed to have pulled out a chunk of stone in his chest.
"Subhanallah. That's exactly what we should have done. Ask God for guidance. Whatever clues you get, we cannot refute them" said Master Teacher Nur Asikin. He nodded his head while smiling at Layla who kept her face down.
"Then, I beg you to go home, Sir, Ma'am, Nak Layla. Don't hesitate to tell me whatever Nak Layla's answer will be."
Tuan Guru Nur Asikin then asked for a black bag in the lap of his driver. From inside the bag he pulled out a large envelope. The envelope was then placed in front of Layla. Layla glanced towards the thick envelope in front of her. The sighting of a hundred thousand dollars is visible.
"In the envelope there is a photo of the father's son as part of Nak Layla's palace" said Mr. Guru Nur Asikin. He then flipped the envelope.
" This is my phone number. Nak Layla can call you by that number. Again, don't hesitate. Think of your parents' father as well" continued Master Teacher Nur Asikin. Layla smiles. Master Teacher Nur Asikin handed the bag back to his driver. He then got up and thrust his hand towards Mr. Nurasmin to shake his hand.
"Son Layla doesn't have to return a small amount of money in that envelope. That's not bribe money. It's not your personal money either. It was special money from MUI as a form of our appreciation to Nak Layla," said Tuan Guru Nur Asikin while rubbing Layla's head when Layla experienced it.
The rain had begun to subside when Mr. Guru Nur Asikin came out of Pak Nurasmin's house. Mr. Nurasmin, Sofia and Layla drove him to the gate. After the car owned by Master Teacher Nur Asikin increasingly away, the three went back into the house.
* * * * *
Flanked by Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia, Layla opened the envelope in her hand and took out a photo from inside. He looked at her for a moment before alternating to be seen by Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia. After that, he took some money out of the envelope. The amount is five million rupiah plus food vouchers and stay for three days at the Beloam hotel in southern Lombok. He put the money back in an envelope and handed it to Sofia's mom.
"Are you going to give it back, son?" ask Sofia. Layla shakes.
"No, Ma. The money is ours. Master Teacher would certainly be offended if we return it. Wear it for the needs of the same Mother" replied Layla.
"Sir, Mum. Layla's going to the room first, yeah. Layla wants to rest if we don't go to Kak Tuan's house" Layla said. Bu Sofia turned her head towards Mr. Sumarep.
"We'll go tomorrow, son. It looks like it's going to rain again. You just rest there" said Mr. Nurasmin. Layla then got up and stepped towards her room. Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia led him with happy glances towards Layla until he entered her room.
"I don't think so, sir. Who is interested in our children all big people," said Sofia bu while holding the hand of Mr. Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin smiled.
"Thank God, that proves our son is a good son." Mr. Nurasmin let out a long breath. He looked into Layla's room.
"Hopefully your son can also find a clue, ma'am. Of course at this time he is confused about making a choice," said Mr. Nurasmin expectantly. Sofia smiled, nodding her head.
* * * * *
I don't feel like time goes by. The sky that was cloudy since this morning darkened when the adzan maghrib reverberated. Drizzle back down. Nature is like being covered in cold.